Buffalo makes a mock trade with Cincinnati.
By Nick Wojton / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Buffalo Bills have set themselves up to do a number of things with their first-overall pick, which is slated ninth, at the 2019 NFL Draft.
Among the things on the table is a trade back.
In DraftWire’s latest 2019 NFL Draft mock, that’s what the Bills do. In a deal with a possibly quarterback-hungry team like the Bengals, the Bills pick up a few extra picks to snag Drew Lock.
On the flip, the Bills still land a player that many draft observers have connected them at with their original pick.
Here’s a full breakdown of DraftWire’s latest four-round mock draft with trades:
11. Buffalo Bills (from CIN)* Jawaan Taylor OT Florida
Taylor’s the top offensive line product to some and if he’s slated to the Bills at nine, most will love if the Bills got him at 11. Here’s what Luke Easterling wrote about the pick:
If the board falls this way, the Bills should be happy to oblige a team like the Bengals, who trade up into the top 10 for their franchise quarterback just as Buffalo did a year ago. Speaking of Josh Allen, the Bills need to use this pick to better protect him, and Taylor is this year’s top tackle prospect.
While the draft does “fall” a certain way, don’t think that means QBs were available. Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins are both already selected in this scenario. Behind the Bills at 10 are the Broncos, who did sign Joe Flacco, but could also make the Bengals nervous. That could cause Cincy to pull the trigger with the Bills.
In Taylor, the Bills would get someone who is viewed as a ready-now NFL prospect. He’s considered a bit better pass blocker than run blocker at this point, but there aren’t many that knock him in that regard, either. Taylor is a three-year starter at Florida with massive size (6-foot-5, 334 pounds) and can move.
Buffalo did recently signed five offensive lineman, but Taylor could be factored in as the team’s lone blue-chip prospect in the group.
On the roster, Taylor could also battled Ty Nsekhe to start at right tackle or move to left tackle which could move Dion Dawkins either to guard or right tackle.
DraftWire’s 4-round mock, Day 2 picks
40. Buffalo Bills JJ Arcega-Whiteside WR Stanford
With Buffalo’s second pick, they stay on offense. After adding wideouts in Cole Beasley and John Brown this offseason, Arcega-Whiteside could provide a complement to the speedy wideouts the Bills have.
At 6-foot-3, Arcega-Whiteside uses his body and strong hands to make plays happen. Arcega-Whiteside could provide the Bills what they were hoping to get out of Kelvin Benjamin but did not.
Arcega-Whiteside is fresh off a career-year as well in several categories such as catches (63), yards (1,059), and touchdowns (14).
74. Buffalo Bills Lonnie Johnson CB Kentucky
After adding EJ Gaines earlier this week and Kevin Johnson earlier this month, the Bills take Johnson here. When discussing Gaines, Bills general manager Brandon Beane did not take selecting another cornerback off the table.
Johnson is a big cornerback at 6-foot-2 and 213 pounds. At the combine, he added a 4.52 40-yard time which is solid for his size. In 2018, Johnson was a full time starter in 13 games, making 23 tackles with an interception and four passes defended.
Draft Wire’s 4-round mock, Day 3 picks
110. Buffalo Bills (from CIN)* Beau Benzschawel OL Wisconsin
The Bills would add to their versatile offensive line with another versatile player. The senior played guard in the later stages of his career but started out at tackle. He as a first-team, All-Conference selection this past season.
112. Buffalo Bills Devin Singletary RB FAU
Singletary recently worked out for the Bills and after the team released Chris Ivory, this move seemed more likely to happen.
Singletary is a 5-foot-9 back that relies on his elusiveness coming out of the backfield. Selecting him and letting him marinate behind a running back such as LeSean McCoy, who’s made a career out of doing just that, could be profitable for the Bills.
131. Buffalo Bills (from KC) L.J. Collier DL TCU
If the Bills wait this long to address the defensive tackle position, expect Jordan Phillips to get a strong look as Kyle Williams’ replacement. But Collier could a guy the Bills wnat because of his versatility. He plays both inside and outside on the defensive line and did so during the Senior Bowl and during practices, where he also was a stand out.